Only Jeev and Sindhu came close but the selection committee was not impressed with the former's 2012 Scottish Open win in the last four years. The committee also felt that Sindhu's bronze in last year's World Championships was not enough and she still has age on her side to get the award.

"Jeev's performance in the last four years was not impressive," said Kapil.

Offie Ashwin has been a consistent performer in the last three years. He is currently the No.1 all-rounder in ICC Test rankings. World No.5 Heena rose to the top of the international rankings after she won the gold medal in the World Cup finals in Munich last year. This year she won the gold in the Asian Shooting Championship and silver in the Fort Benning World Cup.